Three attacks carried out by Palestinians in the space of less than two hours on Tuesday evening left one dead and at least 13 injured. The three attackers were shot and killed at the scene.

In the attacks carried in East Jerusalem, Petah Tikva and Jaffa, assailants used guns and knives against both Israeli police and civilians. The attacks that included a mass stabbing in Jaffa happened during a visit by US vice-president Joe Biden

In Jaffa, a Palestinian reportedly stabbed six people near the port and the city’s promenade. The assailant, identified by Israeli police as a 22-year-old Palestinian man from the West Bank city of Qalqiliya, was shot dead as he tried to flee toward Tel Aviv. Hospital officials said four of the wounded had severe injuries. One of those stabbed, an American tourist, died of his injuries.

The incident coincided with the arrival in Tel Aviv of the US vice-president Joe Biden for meeting with the Israeli prime minister and the Palestinian president. The US vice-president was a mile away from the area where the stabbings took place.

In Petah Tikva, a Palestinian man was killed after he allegedly stabbed an ultra-orthodox Israeli man. Israeli police spokesperson said the Israeli man was stabbed in the upper part of his body, suffering from light to moderate injuries. The suspect, killed at the scene, was identified as a 17-year-old Palestinian from the West Bank district of Salfit.

Minutes later, another Palestinian was shot dead after reportedly firing gunshots and injuring Israeli police officers standing near Salah al-Din street in East Jerusalem. Israeli police identified the gunman as a 25-year-old Palestinian from the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Isawiya.

A spokesperson for Hadassah hospital said both officers were hit in the head, and one of them was in critical condition.

According to Israeli police, the assailant, identified as a 51-year-old Palestinian woman from the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Umm Tuba, drew a knife out of her bag and attempted to stab police officers in the Muslim neighbourhood of the Old City. She was shot by police officers and pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

The latest attacks come after months of violence in which at least 180 Palestinians and nearly 28 Israelis have been killed since October. Israeli forces announced on Tuesday night they would impose closures on the West Bank villages of Zawia and Auja, the hometowns of two of the attackers.